Cross River LG workers protest 11 months of unpaid salaries

Newly employed local government workers in Cross River State staged a peaceful protest in Calabar, demanding payment for 11 months of unpaid salaries. The workers, who have resumed duties but received no pay, marched through the state capital to the Governor's Office, carrying placards with messages like "We are suffering" and "Payroll us."

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The prolonged delay has really subjected many workers to severe hardship. Some of us are now struggling to feed our families. Some of us have died during the verification process initiated by the government.

Uchi Julius, speaking for the protesters, explained that many employed in 2025 had worked for nearly a year without compensation. This prolonged delay has caused severe hardship, with some workers struggling to feed their families. Julius also tragically noted that some colleagues had died during the government's verification process. Many now rely on loans from friends and family to survive.

The workers expressed disappointment, as one of the campaign promises was massive employment. They highlighted that despite the employment of 2,000 health workers, many have not been paid. "We didn't come here to beg for money; we came to ask for what we have worked for," Julius stated, emphasizing their distress and the loss of colleagues.

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We didn’t come here to beg for money; we came to ask for what we have worked for.

Happiness Augustine, another protester employed in 2025, shared her experience of working for almost a year without any salary. She pleaded with Governor Bassey Otu to intervene and process their payments, emphasizing their diligence despite the lack of compensation. The delay has caused significant distress, and they are appealing for the governor's mercy.

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I was employed in 2025. Up till now, I have not been paid. It is one year in my office and I have not received any salary. We are begging Governor Bassey Otu to have mercy on us and pay us because we have been diligent in our duties.

The protesters also revealed that a colleague died in a road accident while traveling for a screening exercise initiated after a previous protest. They are awaiting a response from the governor regarding this incident and continue to plead for assistance. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Enoh, acknowledged the workers' concerns and assured them that the government was finalizing the necessary processes to address the matter.

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We are on our knees begging him to pay us. We have families to take care of, and we have continued working without salaries.